Spanning 20 years, Lost Languages and other voices brings together 16 bodies of work exploring race, history and gender, encompassing a wide range of photographic media, from digital video installations to Victorian printing techniques. Joy Gregory was included in our recent group exhibition Liberties and this solo show, on tour from Impressions Gallery in Bradford, expands on those ideas while introducing new ones.

The title of the exhibition refers to the works Gomera (2008) and Kalahari (2009) in which Gregory draws attention to the cultural importance of marginalised African indigenous languages. Journeys feature recurrently in Gregory's work, which have been made in diverse locations including South Africa, the Orkneys, Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean.

Cinderella Tours Europe (1997-2001) parodies the notion of the Grand Tour, with photographs of a seductive pair of gold high-heeled shoes travelling from the Caribbean to well-known sites in Paris and Venice; whilst Hoy/Hobart (2008) is inspired by the onerous journey from London to Hoy, a trip that took the same amount of time as one to Hobart in Tasmania.

Assumptions about feminine beauty are also consistently explored. The Fairest (1998) and Bottled Blonde (1998) examine the desire to be blonde, whilst Objects of Beauty (1992 – 1995) critiques consumer products of the Western fashion industry.

Lost Languages and other voices is an Impressions Gallery touring exhibition, curated by Anne McNeill. “As a charity that helps people understand the world through photography, we're excited to see this exhibition shared with visitors in the South West,” said McNeill.

Artist's Talk: Saturday 11 Feb at The Exchange Join artist Joy Gregory in conversation with curator Anne McNeill as they discuss the exhibition and its themes.

Joy Gregory: Lost Languages and other voices 11 Feb – 7 May 2017

The Exchange, Princes Street, Penzance, TR18 2NL, 01736 363715

@newlynexchange - info@newlynartgallery.co.uk - newlynartgallery.co.uk

Notes for Editors

The Exchange is a major contemporary art space in the centre of Penzance, established in 2007. This year marks its 10th anniversary and ten years since the relaunch of its sister venue, Newlyn Art Gallery. Together the galleries present contemporary work in all media by regional, national and international artists, with a full supporting programme of events, activities and education. Formerly the town's telephone exchange, the huge space retains the original industrial feel of the building and features a large t-shaped gallery and a striking glass facade that runs the entire length of the building.

Joy Gregory was born in England, 1959, to parents of Jamaican origin. She has exhibited all over the world, including the Sydney Biennale; Durban Art Gallery; Houston Center for Photography; and Museum of Modern Art Oxford. She is the recipient of numerous awards and her work is included in collections including the Arts Council Collection; Victoria and Albert Museum; Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australia; and Yale British Art Collection. She currently lives and works in London.

Anne McNeill is Director of Impressions Gallery and former Artistic Director of Photo98, the National Year of Photography in the UK. She has curated numerous exhibitions, including Front by Trish Morrissey, and most recently Cockroach Diary & other stories, a major retrospective of work by Anna Fox, which was shortlisted for the Deutsche Börse Award 2010. She writes regularly for photography publications and is Editor of the imPRESS series of pocket monographs published by Impressions Gallery.

Impressions Gallery is a charity that helps people understand the world through photography. The Gallery collaborates with photographers and organisations nationally and internationally to commission, exhibit and publish photography. Its work with new, emerging photographers and often‐overlooked artists cements and builds their careers. Established in 1972 as one of the first specialist photographic galleries in Europe, Impressions has grown to become one of the UK's leading independent venues for contemporary photography. It is located in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO City of Film. It works with local communities and young people to make photography accessible to all through its formal and informal education. Impressions is funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation and supported by Bradford Metropolitan District Council. www.impressions-gallery.com